Ahmed Lawan, Omo-Agege Emerge New Senate President, Deputy

The All Progressives Congress (APC) preferred candidate, Senator Ahmed Lawan of Yobe State has emerged as the newly elected President of the 9th Nigerian Senate.

The immediate past Majority Leader of the 8th Senate defeated his APC counterpart and only opponent in the race, Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South Senatorial district by 79 votes to 28 votes.

With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yet to officially declare the results of two senatorial districts in Imo State, there are 107 senators currently at the Senate with Senator Lawan garnering more than half of the votes cast.

Following the Senators-elect roll-call in the chamber, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North – APC) nominated Senator Lawan, and was seconded by Adeola Solomon (Lagos West – APC).

Similarly, Ndume was nominated by Ishaku Abo (Adamawa North – PDP), and seconded by Mpigi Barry (Rivers South-East – PDP).

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Omolori thereafter administered oath of office on Senator Lawan as the Senate President.

Senator Lawan, aged 60, was first elected into the Senate in 2007 after his eight years stint in the House of Representatives. After failing in his bid to become Senate President in 2015, he later displaced Senator Ali Ndume to emerge the Majority Leader in the 8th Senate

For the position of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Delta Central Senatorial district polled 68 votes to capture the seat.

Senator Omo-Agege defeated the immediate past Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Enugu West Senatorial District who garnered 39 votes at the election

Though the number of Senators at Red chamber were 107, the election recorded 105 valid votes, one invalid while one Senator abstained from voting.